Restaurant owner Mr Mohammed Nazim Uddin of New Jeera Restaurant Limited was fined £3000 today at Darlington Magistrates Court for failing to comply with an Emergency Prohibition Notice (Photos on Flickr).
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Private Sector Housing Officers from Darlington Borough Council visited the premises on the 27th May 2011 and found several people living below and above the commercial premises in squalid conditions and without adequate fire safety protection and amenities. An Emergency Prohibition Order was made that day to prevent occupation of the commercial premises to prevent harm to occupiers.
A further visit was carried out on the 27th April 2012 and people where still found living at the premises. A file was then prepared for court to prosecute Mr Uddin for his failure to comply with the order.
Private Sector Housing Officer visited again on the 16th November 2012 and found that people were still occupying the property illegally. During the subsequent inspection the police had to be called to protect council officers while they carried out their inspection.
The case was heard in Mr Uddins’s absence and a fine of £3000 was imposed together with £300 costs and victim surcharge of £15. Consideration was given to Mr Uddin’s repeated failure to comply with the order and the risks associated with persons living in a dangerous property.
Councillor Mc Ewan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Policy said ‘ We want to send out very strong message to people who think it ok to put lives at risk by allowing the occupation of dangerous and unsuitable premises, its not acceptable and we will take action against those who ignore our warnings’
